What to Do in Washington DC during COVID

Washington DC is slowly reopening but there are still many locations that are not open to the public just yet.

If you’re looking for what to do in Washington DC during the pandemic, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate what is open in DC right now.

This page was updated on April 05, 2021

Please note that Washington DC has some guidelines for visiting:

Face coverings must be appropriately worn while in public
There are city regulations for visitors, you can find more here.

What to Do in Washington DC during COVID

1. Take a Walking Tour

We offer a number of walking tours right now! All tours take safety precautions such as mandatory face coverings, small groups, no interior stops and physical distancing.

You can join us for tours of:

National Mall
Historic Georgetown
Lincoln’s Assassination
True Crime & Scandals of Georgetown, or Embassy Row
Ghosts of Georgetown

2. Visit a Museum (that’s open!)

While most museums in DC are closed right now, not all are – you can visit some of the smaller and/or private museums with adviced timed tickets.

Museums that are currently open in Washington DC (as of April 05, 2021)

International Spy Museum – Thursday-Monday with timed tickets only
Museum of the Bible – Thursday-Monday with timed tickets only
Phillips Art Collection – timed tickets required starting March 06, 2021
Glenstone Art Museum – free timed tickets
National Museum of Women in the Arts – timed ticketed required
Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens – timed tickets required
Dumbarton House Museum – Friday – Sunday, timed tickets required. Grounds open for free daily
Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office – open by appointment only
Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington Cemetery – free timed tickets required.
President Lincoln’s Cottage – Open Wednesday – Monday, timed tickets required
National Building Museum – Fridays – Sundays, timed tickets required for exhibits but access to Museum Shop and Gun Memorial Project do not require tickets.
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden – open daily, no tickets required 11am -4pm
Planet Word Museum – open Thurs – Sunday, free timed tickets (suggested donation)

Which Smithsonian Museums are Open right now? Sadly, none. ALL Smithsonian Museums and the National Zoo will be closed. They have not announced a reopening date.

3. Explore the Memorials

One of the highlights of visiting Washington DC is touring the National Mall. You can take a guided tour of the memorials with us on a in-person guided walking tour or a self guided audio tour.

All the memorials on the National Mall and Tidal Basin are open to visitors, though some of the small interior museums are closed.

The Washington Monument is also currently closed.

4. Walk through a historic neighborhood

Neighborhoods like Georgetown and Alexandria offer pre-revolutionary charm, and U Street NW was once known as Black Broadway.

A stroll through these neighborhoods offers photo ops, charm and if you walk with one of our self guided audio tours, a lot of history.

We offer audio tours of three historic neighborhoods:

Historic Georgetown
U Street NW
Old Town Alexandria

5. Take a Hop on Hop off Bus Tour

Big Bus Tours have recently reopened in Washington DC with enhanced safety measures.

Bus Tours allow you to hop on and hop off at select sites with a guided narration as you drive between. This is a good way to see sites but also get around the city.

Read more about Bus Tours in DC or Buy Your Ticket Here.

6. Become a Spy at the International Spy Museum

One of our favorite museums in DC has reopened! Here you have a chance to explore their new location and learn about the tricks of the espionage trade.

The Spy Museum is open Thursday to Monday.

You can read more about the International Spy Museum here.

7. Pay Respects at Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington Cemetery is open and the Tomb of Unknown Soldier reopens on March 09, 2021.

You can also visit the Women in Military Service Memorial & Museum though free timed tickets are required.

8. Eat at a local restaurant

DC has a lot of great places to eat! You can Support DC Businesses by ordering to go or eating on some of the outdoor patios. Many restaurants will have heated patio seating as the days get cooler.

Some of our favorite places to eat are:

Ben’s Chili Bowl (U Street NW)
Founding Farmers (Foggy Bottom)
Queen Vic (H St NE)
Martin’s Tavern (Georgetown)
Hamilton (Downtown)
Pizza Paradisio (Georgetown)

9. Learn about DC from a local Justice perspective

DC by Foot has partnered with Justice Walks DC to offer tours of Washington DC neighborhoods through the lens of Civil Rights and Social Justice.

Join Kate, a social justice educator, for a discussion about these neighborhoods and where available a chance to talk to community leaders and business owners.

NOTE: this is a tour that will discuss topics some may find controversial such as race, racism and economics. It is also a participatory, discussion based tour. Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences and thoughts.

10. Visit the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

The National Gallery of Art, which offers a chance to see the only Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas, as well as Turners, Titians and more, is currently closed.

But you can still visit the outdoor sculpture gardens!

11. Heurich House Beer Garden

We are big fans of history & hops, so when the Heurich House Brewmaster’s Castle opened their garden, we could not have been more excited.

On Thursdays from 5pm-8pm you can have a 1921 style Happy Hour- featuring Senate Beer and Liberty Apple Cider.

Find out more here: https://heurichhouse.org/visithhm

12. See the theatre and museum at Ford’s Theatre

As of November 23, 2020 Ford’s Theatre is closed.

Ford’s Theatre has closed (again) but we’re still offering our famous Lincoln Assassination Walking Tours. Our walking tours do not enter any buildings and we end outside the famous theatre painting a picture for you. It is a great alternative for going inside!

12. Explore the Great Outdoors

In addition to the National Mall, Washington DC has a lot of open green space for exploring.

Teddy Roosevelt Island
National Arboretum
Oak Hill Cemetery
Congressional Cemetery

Our hiking expert, Bob, has written a whole post about finding hiking in the DC area.

13. Ride the Capitol Wheel

The Capitol Wheel at National Harbor is an observation wheel that takes you up 180′ in one of 42 climate controlled gondales. Sunset rides are the most popular.

Keep in mind that National Harbor is a ways out of downtown but there are a number of things you can do there such as a public art walk, the Awakening statue, restaurants and more. Read our post on things to do in National Habor…

14. Go to an immersive Art experience at ARTECHOUSE

‘Renewal 2021’ opens March 15, 2021 and is inspired by DC’s Cherry Blossom season. You’ll walk through an industrial city 100 years in the future where nature struggles to survive. Leave with a sense of hope though seeing cherry blossoms peak through the plastic and concrete.

Find out more …